India's fourth Raincentre comes up in Burdwan (West Bengal)

January 25, 2010

The fourth rain centre of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) established in Burdwan was inaugurated by Shri Nirupam Sen, Minister-in-Charge of Industry and Commerce, Industrial Reconstruction and Planning and Development of the West Bengal Government on February 7, 2009. Sri Bansha Gopal Chowdhury, Member of Parliament, Dilip Sarkar, local MLA, Shri Uday Sarkar, Chairman Zilla Panchayat, Shri Aushutosh Chakraborty, Chief Engineer Damodar Valley Corporation, Shri Manish Jain, district Magistrate and Ms Gita Kavarana, Head, Institutional Development, CSE were among other dignitaries present on this occasion. It is first rain centre in Eastern India’s and also CSE’s first collaborated with a government organization to set up a rain centre.

The rain centre has permanent exhibition of panels carrying information on water related issues. It also hosts working models, artificial rainfall and demonstration models. The building also has a fully functional rainwater harvesting system including storage for drinking and washing purposes as well as groundwater recharge system. A water testing kit available at centre can help to check potability of drinking water.

It plans to conduct workshops for various groups like students, teachers, plumbers & masons, engineers etc. It will also host eco tours.